ENGL 270

Fall 2026 Part of Term 1

Part of Term 1
Aug 24-Dec 9

American Film Genres

Credit: 3 hours.

Introduction to the study of the dominant genres or types U.S. cinema. Examines the elements that constitute genres (such as visual and narrative patterns), the formation and reshaping of genres by filmmakers and the entertainment industry, the social and cultural factors that influence the genre cycles and subgenres, and the landmark works of each genre. The course treats several genres in historical perspective or focus on a single genre.

This course satisfies the General Education Criteria in Fall 2022 for:

Humanities – Lit & Arts

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ENGL 270 class schedule data for fall 2026
	Status		CRN	Type	Section	Time	Day	Location	Instructor	Section Details
			70157	Lecture-Discussion	G	2:00PM -3:50PM	TR	Armory	Soto Crespo, R	Availability: Open Part of Term: 1 Date Range: 08/24/26-12/09/26 Degree Notes: Humanities - Lit & Arts course. Section Info: FA26 - ENGL 270 - American Film Genres - Ramon Soto Crespo - Green Cinema - ENGL 270 examines films on environmental issues and topics of sustainability. Films such as Soylent Green, A Civil Action, and Erin Brockovich each conveyed a sense of urgency about the damage that business and failed politics wreak on our environment. From explaining how corporate greed and political corruption hinder efforts to save the planet to providing us with representations of individual civil action, these films prompt us to reflect on our role as citizens, viewers, and activists. The course aims to explore essential questions like the social role of art, the methods it uses to convey meaning, and how to evaluate it alongside other art forms. Therefore, we will examine the choices filmmakers have made and how these reflect three main influences: industrial objectives, political motives, and ideas about the relationship between a film and its spectators. With that last element in mind, a secondary purpose of this course is to help you become more aware of how filmmakers invite us to participate in the experience they have created for us and of what happens when we accept that invitation. Films will be screened during class time. Requirements: regular attendance; active participation in class discussion; careful reading of secondary materials; and regular short response papers.